Aidan Borland has credited Aston Villa captain John McGinn as the ideal mentor since the teenager left Celtic for the Midlands club. The 19-year-old, currently on loan at Accrington Stanley in English League Two, revealed the Scotland vice-captain has been a key figure in helping him settle.
McGinn's support on and off the pitch
Borland said McGinn has looked after him since he arrived, giving him his number and offering guidance in training and beyond. “No, it's been great ever since I went down. He's looked after me and looked out for me on the training pitch and gave me his number to reach out if I ever needed anything on and off the pitch. So there's no better role model than the captain of your country,” he said.
He added that having academy teammates he knew from a young age, including fellow Scots, has also helped him adapt. “Also being the captain of your club, as someone to look up to and obviously helps as well having boys through the academy that I've known from a young age, being Scottish players as well. So it definitely helps you settle in.”
FA Youth Cup winner eyes first-team pathway
The defensive midfielder won the FA Youth Cup in 2025, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 victory over Manchester City. George Hemmings, who has since become a regular for Villa in the Premier League and Champions League, also featured in that match.
Borland sees Hemmings' progress as a route into Unai Emery's first-team squad. “So I think it's just about doing everything right that when the opportunity comes around, whether it's training or on the pitch that you take your opportunity and he's obviously done that really well this season with coming in and keeping his place. It is definitely one for all the academy boys to see and push towards,” he said.
